Bengaluru, Uttara Kannada lead in fake news cases in Karnataka
Bengaluru: Karnataka has registered 247 cases related to fake news between 2021 and 2024, according to government data. Bengaluru city tops the list with 99 cases, followed by Uttara Kannada with 45, and Kodagu with 14, as reported by Deccan Herald on Monday.
Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwara stated that the government has taken several measures to combat the spread of fake news. These include establishing social media monitoring cells at both the district and police station levels to track fake news spread by miscreants.
Additionally, the police have formed WhatsApp groups with local beat officers and citizens to monitor suspicious activities and keep track of bad elements. Dr Parameshwara noted that this initiative has been instrumental in enhancing local-level surveillance.
In January 2024, the government also set up a fact-checking cell within the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), headed by the Director General of Police (cyber crime and narcotics).
IT-BT minister Priyank Kharge told DH that the government was in the process of formulating procedures on identifying misinformation, malicious content, and fake news, that will become the guiding principles for investigation.
Since the fact-checking unit was established, they have identified around 1.5 lakh cases where miscreants have used threats and abuse to deceive vulnerable individuals. Kharge noted that it is crucial to develop a robust system to address these threats, adding that the MDCC and the SEC are working to create an effective framework for tackling fake news.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
